Question about SCAs and DCAs

purpledelly

I wonder if anyone can help/advise/reassure me on this one?

Small amount of history: We've been on a DMP with CCCS for just under 2 years with few/no problems. Last month we took over the DMP to allow ourselves more flexibility to overpay and the payment dates etc. Again - no real problems there and we've made the first payments with no problems.


However after reading various threads on here and other forums I decided to request SCAs from several of our creditors - notably the DCAs. 4 of our Debts (with HSBC/First Direct) had been transferred early in the DMP to Metropolitan collections. Since we sent the first of the 'can we have our signed SCA' letters to Metropolitan (x 4 as we have 4 different debts with them) we've now begun getting letters (2 so far) from HSBC saying they have 'transferred the debt to xxxxxx debt collection agency). As I say, thus far we've had letter for 2 of the debts and each has gone to a different new DCA. We phoned Metropolitan and they confirmed the debts have been transferred and they can no longer discuss them. I am guessing Metropolitan are some kind of 'in house' DCA for HSBC? Does anyone know?

So to my questions:
1. Does this seem fishy? Seem like maybe they don't have the SCA? Or just coincidence?

2. Should I now just send the same letter to the new DCA and begin the process again?

3. In the meantime should I suspend payments to these new DCAs and should I enter into any other correspondence with them? They have not given payment information just told me to contact them to arrange payment ASAP. My plan was to send them the 'can I have the SCA..' letter and add in there 'when I have this document I will be in a position to discuss payment'... is that sensible?

4. Have I stirred up a hornet's nest and should I have left well alone as I'm a bit worried now

Sorry this is long - and any advice much appreciated.

rayday2

I think if you ask for a signed credit agreement then the DCA has to refer back to the original debtor, so yes I would ask the DCA the same thing. I have had to do this with one of mine on a self managed DMP as two agencies were after the same debt. I did it right after I paid them one month hoping to have a clear answer before the next pay time.

Sadly one sent cheque back and said case closed, the other DCA who I had been sending payments too cashed the cheque and has not sent anything back since. I am hoping they will send out a where is the money letter as I feel I am dicing with dodgy things really, so far I have heard nothing but understand how you feel - sorry no help there was i!

purpledelly

Hi Rayday - long time no see. Thanks for that - nice to know I'm not alone in this at any rate... but I am worried....

Anyone else any advice?

purpledelly

Just a shameless bump back up in case anyone else has any advice

purpledelly

Apologies for bumping again - wondering if anyone today has any advice?!

chevalier

Is it worth phoning HSBC and asking them why it has happened. I wonder if it is because you are no longer going through payplan, so think that they can get away with more?
hugs anway, seems no one is having a good day today
chev

purpledelly

Thanks Chev. My hubby tried phoning HSBC about the one which is in his name and it was all totally frustrating :mad:.
They took him through basic security (name, DoB etc) and then asked for his WORK phone number . Well there's two problems with that...
1. He opened the CC with HSBC over 20 years ago and certainly hasn't updated his work number with them in the last 5 years due to not actually having the card. So even if they did have a work number for him of some kind it would be well out of date and he's moved jobs a lot so would have no idea which one it would be.

2. He doens't really have a 'phone number' at work as he's a postie and thus 'on the road' he doesn't really know the office number but even if he found it out what's the point - it's not what they'd have on their records.

They would listen to no reason on the point and he tried different departments and they were all utterly unhlpeful :rolleyes: